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HCV treatment with sofosbuvir in Pakistan; current scenario and future perspective
(ournal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Research, 2018) Ayesha Khaliq; Imtiaz Ahmad; Muhammad Sohail Afzal
Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is a global problem with around 1.75 million new infections yearly. With approximate 70% chronicity rate about 399,000 people die each year from hepatitis C. Pakistan is endemic for this infection with 5-8% prevalence in general population. There are several HCV genotypes and antiviral therapies are genotype dependent. In Pakistan genotype 3a is dominant followed by diagnostically untypable HCV variants. Previously interferon based antiviral regimens were the only choice for HCV treatment in Pakistan. Recently sofosbuvir is introduced in Pakistan on heavily discount. Although sofosbuvir showed very good sustained virological response (SVR) globally but due to different ethnicity and genetic makeup, it is important to analyse the drug efficacy in Pakistan. Available limited data showed that overall SVR/rapid virological response (RVR) is very good. The current data is very limited and it is highly needed to have studies reporting the sofosbuvir treatment response from different ethnic groups from the whole country.